The new coalition at Elmbridge Borough Council has cancelled its first cabinet meeting to avoid "rushing in like a bull in a china shop".

Members of the Conservative group were "surprised and disappointed" that the meeting scheduled for Wednesday June 8 was called off due to a lack of business, when the previous administration had planned for various items to be discussed that day.

These included updates on the Waterside Drive sports hub, the Stompond Lane stadium sale and proposals for Weybridge Hall.

Councillor Christine Elmer said: “I was very disappointed. Tim Oliver would have had the chance, as leader of the Conservative group, to ask any questions he would have wished to ask and there were updates coming on Waterside Drive and Stompond Lane so I think it would have been ideal to find out what their plans are.

“It’s our flagship policy and in order for them to reverse it, it will cost the taxpayers millions of pounds.”

Cllr Elmer was concerned about the four-month gap between cabinet meetings, with the next one scheduled for Wednesday July 6.

She said: “That’s getting on for four months, during which time critical business at the council is not being carried out under public scrutiny and I think it’s absolutely incredible.

“How are they governing the borough of Elmbridge if they are not holding critical meetings?”

However, Cllr Stuart Selleck, new leader of the council and previously of the Residents’ Group-led opposition, confirmed there was only one item on the agenda that related to an external contract for which the new cabinet members have not yet been able to gather all the facts.

Cllr Stuart Selleck (left) and Cllr Andrew Davis (top right) formed the coalition between the Residents' Group and the Liberal Democrats, while Cllr Tim Oliver (bottom right) is leader of the Conservative group

In response to the Conservatives’ previous agenda plan, Cllr Selleck said ‘that’s them, not us’.

“We are not tied by what their commitments are in any shape or form,” he added. “Clearly Waterside Drive is a major issue. Like everything, unless I know the facts, I can’t make the right decision, whatever the subject is.

“You have to have the facts. And being in opposition we have not had access to all the facts.

“Now we are in administration, the officers quite rightly are bringing us up to speed as to all the issues. There are lots and lots of issues that need careful thought, careful processing, consultation possibly.

“They [the Conservatives] would criticise us if we just rushed in like a bull in a china shop so they can’t have it both ways.”

Cllr Selleck added: “I am very disappointed that all the Conservatives seem to be worried about is whether we cancel the cabinet meeting.

“They used to do it on a very frequent basis.

“We are not setting a precedent.”

A spokesman for Elmbridge Borough Council confirmed: “The leader of the borough council considered it appropriate that due to the small amount of business on the cabinet agenda, this meeting should be cancelled.”